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The Ivy Tree is a novel of romantic suspense by Mary Stewart. Her sixth novel, it was published in 1961 in Britain by Hodder & Stoughton and in 1962 in the United States by William Morrow. As usual with the author, the novel is narrated in first person by a bold and intelligent young woman, and the setting is picturesque—in this case, Northumberland.
Synopsis
Mary Grey was off work and relaxing on Sunday afternoon by taking a bus to the coast. As she sat and leaned against part of Hadrian's Roman wall near a cliff overlooking the water of Crag Lough, her day suddenly changed. Unaware that a strange, handsome man had followed her, Connor Winslow now approached calling her "Annabel." He referred to her as his ex-fiancee, was obviously angry and making a veiled threat of throwing her over the cliff. When Mary finally succeeds in making Connor believe she is not Annabel, he is amazed at the similarity in appearance. He offers Mary Grey an opportunity to earn much-needed money by persuading her to impersonate Annabel, who disappeared eight years earlier from the Northumberland County family farm, Whitescar. Annabel's grandfather Matthew, who is very ill, is delaying the announcement to whom he will leave Whitescar and his financial estate. Even after eight years, Matthew continues to hope that his favorite Annabel will return home. His nephew, Connor, is determined to inherit Whitescar and certainly does not want it left to his young cousin, Julie Winslow. If Mary will return as Annabel and if Matthew leaves the farm to her, Mary is to give it to Connor. She agrees, becomes Annabel, and goes to Whitescar where she succeeds in convincing the household -- Grandfather Matthew, Connor's sister Lisa, cousin Julie, and Mr. & Mrs. Bates (employees of Whitescar) -- that she is indeed Annabel. Mary's one weakness is horses, however. Annabel was practically a , while Mary is afraid of them and balks at the idea of riding one. Nevertheless, Mary offers a believable excuse and continues on with her deception. Then she discovers a secret even Connor did not know: Annabel was having an affair with a married neighbor, Adam Forrest, owner of nearby Forrest Hall. During their relationship, Annabel and Adam exchanged letters and notes by leaving them in the trunk of the ivy tree on Forrest property. When Adam discovers the long-lost Annabel after a late-night visit to the ivy tree, he admits his undying love to her. It's up to Annabel to make him realize their romance is over. In doing so, Adam recognizes her as an imposter. Mary persuades him to keep her identity secret as long as no one is hurt and he agrees. A surprise plot twist sets up the denouement, in which Annabel a/k/a Mary tries to save Adam from dying in a cave-in of an old cellar. Her heroic efforts lead to a final confrontation with Connor.
Characters
Mary Grey, a beautiful, slender, 27-year-old female and a new arrival in England from Canada, working in the Kasbah cafe in Newcastle and renting an old run-down flat. Some of her ancestors came from Northumberland County and she is hoping for a new beginning in life when she meets Connor Winslow.
Connor Winslow, the handsome but hot-tempered and ruthless manager of Whitescar Farm and nephew of Matthew Winslow. As attractive as he is on the outside, inside he is self-centered and ruthless with a murderer's heart.
Lisa Dermott, Connor's older half-sister, is loyal only to her brother. At times, she is completely unlikeable because of her lack of independence or her own identity. Lisa seems totally satisfied serving Connor and the Winslow household in the hopes that her brother will gain full control of it.
Matthew Winslow, the elderly, domineering owner of Whitescar, grandfather of Annabel and Julie and uncle to Connor. Although a stroke has weakened him and death could occur at any moment, Matthew continues to control his household and enjoys keeping everyone in suspense regarding his final wishes to his heirs. Everyone knows Annabel is his favorite.
Julie Winslow is the pretty, vivacious, young cousin of Annabel. Julie adores Annabel and confides in her cousin her feelings about Whitescar, her boyfriend, Donald, and her knowledge of the affair between Annabel and Adam. When Connor threatens Julie, it is Annabel and Adam who rescue her.
Archaeologist Donald Seton, Julie's boyfriend, is captivated with his work on Roman excavations, and his lack of attention towards Julie upsets her, causing her to doubt if she and Donald will ever marry. Despite their opposite personalities and his job, Donald adores Julie. When he almost dies in a cave-in on Forrest Hall property, it simply draws them closer together.
After Annabel disappeared eight years earlier, Adam Forrest moved to Italy after his home, Forrest Hall, caught fire and burned. He managed to rescue his wife from the flames, but in doing so, his hands were badly burned and disfigured. During his absence from Forrest Hall, Adam's wife died. Shortly after returning home, he discovers Annabel. At the first sight of his disfigured hands, Mary is startled to tears -- a reaction not lost on Adam.
Reviews
Mary Stewart was already a popular author of romantic suspense and most reviewers felt that this novel was up to her standards. The Atlantic Monthly said, "The author has a neat touch with red herrings and cambric-tea romances." The Christian Science Monitor said: "If the reader feels cheated by the denouement, the author has earned forgiveness by her exciting, belief-suspending account of Mary Grey's sensitive groping for the right response to those who are more sure than the reader that they have known her all her life." The eminent mystery-novel critic Anthony Boucher said, "No one writes the damsel in distress tale with greater charm or urgency."
References
Phoebe Adams, The Atlantic Monthly, April 1962 The Christian Science Monitor, January 11, 1962 Anthony Boucher, The New York Times Book Review, January 7, 1962
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